Telephone handset support



March 13, 1962 L.. H. VAN DYKE TELEPHONE HANDSET SUPPORT Filed June 29,1959 Fig. 4

INVENTOR Ly/e H. VanDy/fe ATTORNEYS This invention relates to new anduseful improvements in telephone handset supports.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved support for atelephone handset having a member for attaching a shoulder rest to thehandset in such manner that the support can be readily converted forresting on either shoulder and use with either ear.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved telephonehandset support having a shoulder rest and coacting attachment memberfastened thereto for movement between left and right hand positions, themember and rest having coacting shoulders and means for holding theshoulders in engagement in either position of said member to rigidlyconnect the rest and member against relative movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved telephonehandset support, of the charcter described, wherein the attachmentmember has an extension lfor engagement with the hollow of a usersshoulder and ooacting with the shoulder rest to prevent displacement ofthe support as well as `facilitate the correct positioning of said.support on the shoulder.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedtelephone Ahandset support, of the character described, wherein theattachment member has a socket and a coacting strap for adjustableclamping engagement with the handle of the handset to permit thecomfortable supporting of said handset in proper relation to the ear andmouth of the user, the configuration of the socket being arranged toaccommodate handles of different contour.

A construction `designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing,wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a support, constructed in accordancewith the invention, mounted on a telephone handset, A

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, end elevational view, partly in section, of thesupport and a portion of the handset,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section and taken on theline 3--3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, l

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the support,showing the connection between its shoulder rest and attachment member,

vFIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, showing a modifiedconnection between the member and rest,

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, showing another modifiedconnection, and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective View showing the detachable connectionof the strap to one of the jaws of the socket.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application,Serial No. 672,283, iiled July 16, 1957, now abandoned.

In the drawing, the numeral 10 designates a support for a conventionaltelephone handset 11 having the usual handle 12. .The support 10includes a body or member 113 for attachment to the handle 12 of thehandset 11 and a shoulder rest-14 which is in the form of an arcedStates ate or curved cradle member having legs 15 and 16 for overlyingthe front and back portions of the shoulder of a user. Preferably, theattachment member 13 and shoulder rest 14 are formed of plastic or othermaterial capable of being molded. A coextensive pad 17, of soft rubberor other suitable cushioning material, overlies and is secured to theinner, curved surface of the shoulder rest between longitudinal,marginal anges or ribs 18. For connecting the rest 14 to the attachmentmember 13, a flat rectangular boss or oblong projection 19 is formed onthe outer surface of said rest intermediate its ends and more closelyadjacent its front leg 15. The boss '19 is of greater length than widthand has upright end surfaces or shoulders -20 perpendicular to its outeror upper, ilat surface and an alinement or substantially flush with theouter surfaces of the ribs 18 (FIGS. 3-5) which are perpendicular to theouter, curved surface of the rest. An opening 21 extends transverselythrough the medial portion of the boss and rest for receiving a screw 22and the outer portion of the opening is enlarged in diameter to providea cylindrical recess or socket y23 (FIG. 5). A cylindrical recess orsocket 24, of smaller diameter and greater depth than the recess 23, isformed in each end portion of the boss 19 medially between said recess23 and each end surface 20. The recesses are tapered and have their axesdisposed in a common plane extending longitudinally of the boss.

For coacting with the boss 19, a pair of flat surfaces or shoulders 25and 26 are formed on a margin of the attachment member 13 and extend ata right angle to each other. The longer shoulder 25 is complementary tothe outer, flat surface of the boss and has a projection or protuberance27 and elements or pins 28 complementary to and adapted to engage withinthe recesses 23 and 24 of the boss. An axial opening 29 extends throughthe protuberance 27 and its shoulder for receiving the screw 22 andpermitting connection thereof to a nut 30 disposed within a recess orslot 31 extending transversely of and communicating with the inner endof the openning (FIG. 3). The shorter shoulder 26 extends outwardly fromthe inner end of the shoulder 25 for flush engagement by one of the endsurfaces 20 of the boss (FIG. 4), preferably, being of slightly greaterheight so as to pro-ject beyond said boss. This engagement coacts withthe sockets 23 and 24, protuberance 27 and pins 2B to positively holdthe rest 14 against movement relative to the member 13 when the screw 22is in tight engagement with the nut 30. Since the recesses, protuberanceand pins are spaced equally from one another and the ends of the boss 19`and `shoulder 25 and have their axes alined, the rest is reversiblerelative to the attachment member to permit positioning of the supportupon either shoulder for use with either ear. Upon loosening of thescrew, the rest and member may be separated sufiiciently to withdraw thepins 28 from the recesses 24 whereby said rest may be turned to disposethe outer end surface of the boss adjacent the shoulder 26.

Due to the flush engagement between the shoulder 26 and one of the endsurfaces 20 of the boss `19, only one of the pins 28 is required to holdthe member 13 and rest 14 against relative movement and one of said pinsmay ibe eliminated as shown in FIG. 7. Of course, both recesses 24 arenecessary to permit reversal of the rest. As shown by the numerals 23and 24 in FIG. 6, the recesses may ybe formed in theY attachment member13 for receiving the protuberance 27 and pins 23 which project from theouter, curved surface of the shoulder rest 14. The boss 19 is omittedand the coacting shoulder 2.5 of the member 13 is increased in thicknessto provide suicient material for the formation of the recesses. As shownby the numeral 26', the shorter shoulder is reduced in height and isadapted to bear against either one of the longitudinal margins and ribs18 of the rest which function in the same manner as the end surfaces 20of the omitted boss 19. With the exception of the foregoing, the member13 and rest 14' may be identical to the member 13 and rest 14.

For adjustable, clamping engagement with the handle 12 of the telephonehandset 11, the attachment member includes an open-ended socket orsaddle 32 formed by a pair of coacting, spaced elements or jaws 33 and34 which extend at an acute angle to the shoulder 25 (FIG. 3). The jaws33 and 34 are substantially parallel and have their outer endsterminating in inwardly-directed, opposed projections or lips 35 and 36.An arcuate bottom or curved bight portion 37 is provided at the innerend of the saddle 32 between the jaws and is connected to each jaw by anarch portion 3S which has reverse curves and a transverse shoulder 39adjacent the bight portion. The handset handle 12 is adapted to beconlined in the saddle in engagement with the projections 35 and 36 andbight portion 37. The configuration of the saddle is adapted toaccommodate handles of different contours. For example, as shown by thebroken lines 40, the handle may be substantially rectangular incrosssection and be engaged by the arch portions 38 and parallelportions of the jaws as well as the projections.

The jaw 33 forms a portion of the margin of the member 13 and isrelatively thin so as to be more flexible or resilient than the jaw 34which is disposed within said member and extends inwardly from itsmargin (FIG. 3). A substantially triangular arm or extension 41 of themember is disposed between the shoulder 25 and the jaw 34 and has amargin 42 extending at an obtuse angle to said jaw from its projection35. The arm 41 projects beyond the shoulder 26, terminating in an apex43 which is connected to said shoulder by a stepped margin 44 havingportions extending parallel to the shoulder 25. As shown most clearly inFIGS, 1 and 2, the arm projects transversely of the legs l and 16 of therest 14 and is adapted to coaet therewith to provide a threepointsupport. Due to its projection, the arm engages the hollow of a usersshoulder when the rest legs are engaged with the front and back of theshoulder.

For coacting with the saddle 32 to eonne the handle of a telephonehandset therein, a band or strap 45, of spring steel or other flexiblematerial, overlies the outer ends of the jaws 33 and 34 so as to closethe outer end of said saddle. As shown most clearly in FIG. 8, anopening 46 is formed in one end of the strap 45 for engagement with ahook element or projection 47 on the outer surface of the jaw 33. Thestrap extends beyond the other jaw 34 through a longitudinal groove orrecess 48 in the margin 42 of the arm 41 and has its opposite end 49apertured and bent inwardly upon itself at a right angle. An elongatedopening or slot 50 is formed in the arm in parallel relation to theshoulder 26 and has its inner end communicating with the inner end ofthe groove 48 for receiving the strap 45 with its apertured end 49extending transversely of the slot. The strap end is movably conlined byan underlying nut 51 upon a screw 52 which projects inwardly through thearm margin 44 into the slot 5) to permit the strap to be loosened andtightened. The inner end of the screw 52 bears against the bottom of theslot whereby the strap end 49 and nut 51 are moved longitudinally ofsaid slot upon rotation of said screw. Since the jaw 33 is flexible, itis pulled inwardly toward the jaw 34 when `the strap 45 is tightened byoutward movement of the nut 51. As shown by the numeral 53, theattachment member is of recessed construction to lighten its weight andreduce the amount of required material.

In order to mount the support upon a telephone handset, the screw 52 isrotated to move the nut 51 in- Wardly of the slot 50 and loosen thestrap 45 sufliciently to permit disengagement of its opening 46 from thehook 47. The handle 12 of the handset 11 is positioned within the saddle32 of the attachment member 13 and the strap is re-engaged with the hookin overlying relation to said handle. Upon rotation of the screw, thestrap is tightened to clamp the handle in the saddle and urge theflexible jaw 33 toward the jaw 34. The shoulder rest 14 is disposed withits front leg 15 extending toward the transmitter end of the handset,the illustrated position being for use with the right ear and shoulder.For converting the support for use with the left ear and shoulder, themember and rest are reversed so as to extend in the opposite directionrelative to the handset. It is only necessary to loosen the strap 45 inorder to permit reversing or inverting of the attachment member and oneend of said strap remains fastened to said member during themanipulation of the support. Since it is designed to t the shoulder, therest 14 must be reversed when the support is converted for use with theleft ear and shoulder. As explained, the screw 22 is loosened to permitsuflicicnt separation of the boss 19 from the shoulder 25 for thewithdrawal of the pins 28 from the recesses 24. The rest is turnedrelative to the member to position the outer end surface 20 of the bosscontiguous the shoulder 26 for engagement therewith. Upon tightening ofthe screw, the support is ready for use. t is noted that theconfiguration of the saddle 32 and its flexible jaw 33 permitsadjustment of the support longitudinally of `the handset so that saidhandset may be comfortably positioned in proper relation to the ear andmouth of the user.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory -thereof andvarious changes in th'esze, shape and materials, as well as in thedetails of the illt'rafted construction may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A telephone handset support including a shoulder rest, a memberadapted to be attached to the handset, the member having a pair ofexternal surfaces in angular relation to each other, `the rest having apair of external surfaces complementary to and for engagement with thesurfaces of said member, said rest having a third external surfacecomplementary to and in opposed relation to one of its pair of surfacesfor selective engagement with the complementary surface of said memberwhereby said rest may be reversed relative to said member, the opposedsurfaces of said rest extending in angular relation to its othersurface, and fastening means extending through the other surfaces ofsaid member and rest.

2. A telephone handset support as set forth in claim 1 including meanssubstantially parallel to the fastening means for connecting the othersurfaces of the member and rest and holding one of the opposed surfacesof the rest in engagement with the complementary surface of said member.

3. A telephone handset support as set forth in claim 1 wherein theconnecting means includes a projection on one surface and a coactingrecess in the other surface.

4. A telephone handset support including a shoulder rest, an attachmentmember for connection with the handset, the rest and member havingcomplementary abutting external surfaces, an external shoulder on themember in angular relation to its abutting surface, said rest having apair of opposed external surfaces complementary to cach other and inangular relation to its abutting surface for selective engagement withthe shoulder, and fastening means extending through the medial portionsof the abutting surfaces of said member and rest so as to permitreversal thereof relative to each other.

5. A telephone handset support as set forth in claim 4 including aprojection on one of the abutting surfaces, and a recess for theprojection in the other abutting surface and coacting with the fasteningmeans to hold one of the opposed surfaces of the rest in engagement withthe shoulder.

6. A telephone handset support including a shoulder rest, a projectionon the rest having an oblong surface and opposed end surfacescomplementary to each other and in angular relation to the oblongsurface, a member attachable to the handset and having an externalsurface complementary to and for engagement with the oblong surface ofthe projection, an external shoulder on the member in angular relationto its surface for selective engagement by one of the end surfaces ofsaid projection whereby the rest and member are reversible relative toeach other, and a fastener extending through the oblong surfaces of saidmember and projection.

7. A telephone handset support as set forth in claim 6 includingcoacting connecting means on the oblong surfaces of the member andprojection for holding one of the end surfaces of said projection inengagement with the shoulder.

8. A telephone handset support including a shoulder rest, an `attachmentmember having a saddle for receiving the handle of the handset, thesaddle being formed by a substantially rigid jaw and a more flexiblejaw, a llexible strap spanning the outer ends of the jaws and having oneof its ends detachably connected to the ilexible jaw, the other end ofthe strap being angular and extending laterally beyond the substantiallyrigid jaw, the member having a recess for slidably receiving the angularend of said strap, a nut slidable in the recess for bearing against saidangular strap end, and a screw extending longitudinally of said recessand threaded through the nut, the screw having its inner end bearingagainst the bottom of said recess for tightening said strap to clamp thehandset handle in said saddle.

9. A telephone handset support as set forth in claim 8 wherein themember has an arm extending laterally from its substantially rigid jawand the shoulder rest for engagement with the hollow of the shoulder ofa user when said rest is mounted thereon, the recess being formed in thearm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,294,989 Keely Sept. 8, 1942 2,476,221 Renneker July 12, 1949 2,493,954Epstein Jan. 10, 1950 2,816,963 Norton Dec. 17, 1957 2,863,954 RennekerDec. 9, 1958 2,936,344 Solari May 10, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 726,879 GreatBritain Mar. 23, 1955

